Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones and Police Chief Dave Erickson warned the public, Wednesday, about the use of ATV’s within the City Limits. Chief Erickson said they had “A little short brief incident with an ATV. We took care of that rather quickly. The Mayor said, and Erickson confirmed, that “They learned their lesson pretty well.” Mayor Jones said “You do not ride ATV’s in the City of Atlantic.” If you do, he said “The guys with the badge and gun will come after you heavy.”

Their comments came during Wednesday nights very short meeting of the Atlantic City Council. Erickson and Jones were referring to an incident last Friday afternoon, that lead to a chase and the arrest of two individuals who tried to run and hide from police. Erickson said fines from the incident amounted to $3,100 for at least one of the persons arrested. The City’s Code of Ordinances prohibits the use of ATV’s.

In other business, the Council tabled a meeting with DNR Source Water Community Facilitator for Southwest Iowa, Zachary Johannes, with regard to a Water Source Protection Plan. The action followed a miscommunication between the City and Johannes. The Council approved a recommendation to change the duration of Parks and Recreation Board members from Six-years, to four-years. The Council’s liason to the Board, Ashley Hayes, said the Board itself had already approved the change, because to leave the terms as they are, discourages people from running for the elected seats, and creates burn-out among current Board members.

In other business, the Council took action on annual administrative matters, such as approving a bank for the City’s 2019 Checking Account, and Approving the official City Newspaper for 2019 legal publications.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A judge has scheduled a hearing later this month to announce his verdict in the trial of a man accused of killing his sister in northwest Iowa. District Judge Jeffrey Neary had presided over the non-jury trial of 36-year-old Thomas Bibler. Bibler was charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in connection with the June 11, 2016, stabbing death of 27-year-old Shannon Bogh, of Le Mars. Bibler was arrested that day after a short standoff at his Le Mars apartment.

Bibler testified that he took a prescription sleep aid and other medications the night his sister died and didn’t remember what happened. Neary set Jan. 18 as the date for the hearing in Le Mars.

(Radio Iowa) — A Sioux City native who survived sexual abuse in the Catholic church hopes bringing his experience to the public will encourage more people to come forward. Tim Lennon with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests says he was raped by a clergy member in 1960. He says when he reported it to the Diocese more than 30 years later, he received a vague letter that did not offer an apology or any help. Lennon spoke to a small crowd in Sioux City this weekend, calling for the Sioux City Diocese to release the names of clergy members who have been accused of abuse. “So many suffer alone and never come forward. So when there’s public notice of a predator or of sexual abuse, it provides an opportunity for victims to step forward or to tell their family, friends or a counselor,” Lennon says.

Lennon says Iowa’s laws about sexual abuse need to be reformed. “So many victims bury memories for decades and laws such as statutes of limitations limits their ability to seek justice or have consequence for predators,” according to Lennon. The statute of limitations, or amount of time to bring legal action, is 10 years for sexual abuse in Iowa. Lennon is also calling for the resignation of former Sioux City Bishop, Daniel DiNardo, as Head of U-S Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Cardinal has been accused of covering up clergy sexual abuse in Sioux City and Houston. The Sioux City Diocese was unavailable to comment.

(with Thanks to Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans who raise money for nonprofits and foundations are facing new challenges in the new year as a new federal tax law is raising concerns. Stacy Palmer, editor of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, says overall charitable contributions have been rising from low-income earners and those on the high end.  “Middle income people give in a lot of different ways but that’s where the biggest drop in the share of people who are giving is coming,” Palmer says. “So, people are really starting to raise questions about how you can persuade those people to start giving again or to start giving more.”

That fall in donations from middle income earners is a problem, she says, because nonprofits need a broad base of support for stability and growth. Also, Palmer says charities are worried donations will decrease by millions of dollars because of the new tax law. “Now, they’re losing the tax incentive to give as well because they’re probably not going to itemize,” Palmer says. “You definitely need to be more upper-income to make it worth itemizing, so that’s why people are especially worried about that.”

Other challenges nonprofits face include adapting to new technology, such as how to protect donor information from cyber-attacks.

(Radio Iowa) — Rob Sand was sworn in Wednesday as state auditor, becoming only the second Democrat in more than a century to hold the position. Following the statehouse ceremony, the 36-year-old Sand announced he’s selected a politically diverse leadership team.   “The only thing I want to emphasize today is the three people that I’m going to give the most decision-making responsibility in this office politically represent everyone in the state – Democrat, independent and Republican,” Sand said.

photo provided by Iowa Democratic Party

John McCormally, an attorney and former communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party, will serve as Sand’s chief of staff. The other two people selected for leadership posts supported Sand’s opponent, but Sand called them “the most qualified people for the positions.” As a Democrat in a watchdog role in the Republican-controlled government, Sand downplayed concerns that politics will drive his actions.  “Iowans sent us here. All of us. They didn’t send us here to fight each other,” Sand said. “They sent us here to get good work done. That’s going to be my priority.”

Sand defeated Republican Mary Mosiman in November. He was the only challenger to defeat a statewide elected official. Sand said his office will add more efficiency recommendations to all audits and will start exploring how to do an additional review of Iowa’s privately managed Medicaid program.

(Thanks to Katarina Sostaric, Iowa Public Radio)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Elizabeth Warren is moving quickly to gain an advantage in early-voting Iowa by naming top political staff with experience in the leadoff caucus state before she makes her first campaign trip there as a likely presidential hopeful this weekend. The Massachusetts Democrat on Wednesday hired four Democratic operatives, all with Iowa resumes, including rising stars from the 2018 midterms. The move comes after she established a presidential exploratory committee on Monday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A survey suggests business conditions improved last month in nine Midwest and Plains states. A report issued Wednesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index rose to 55.2 from 54.1 in November. The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below that suggests decline. The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has a new state auditor and for just the second time in more than 100 years a Democrat is serving in the job. Rob Sand, a former assistant state attorney general who specialized in prosecuting financial crimes, took the oath of office at the Iowa Capitol on Wednesday.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a man killed after exchanging gunfire with officers in Webster County as a resident of Wall Lake. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the man as 45-year-old Matthew Hurley. Hurley died Monday night after engaging in a gunfight while driving away from officers who had been called to a disturbance just outside Fort Dodge. Hurley’s vehicle eventually stopped in a field, and he was found dead inside.